Kohli signs for Surrey: India captain takes on short stint in county cricket

Virat Kohli has agreed a deal which will see him represent the club throughout June, giving him valuable experience of English conditions prior to India's Test tour... and he could play at Scarborough

^{Virat Kohli has signed for Surrey}

India captain Virat Kohli will spend a short period of the summer in county cricket with Surrey.

Kohli has agreed a deal which will see him represent the club throughout June, giving him valuable experience of English conditions prior to India's Test tour.

He will be available for games in the County Championship and the Royal London One-Day Cup, and could grace both Guildford and Scarborough during his brief stay.

As a result, however, Kohli will miss India's Test match against Afghanistan, which is scheduled to take place in Bangalore from June 14.

^{Kohli could play at Guildford and Scarborough}

According to reports in India, there had been some wrangling between cricket and political officials over their skipper's need to appear in the game, which is Afghanistan's first since they were handed full ICC Member status.

Kohli said: “It has long been an ambition of mine to play county cricket and I am thankful to Alec Stewart and Surrey for allowing me the opportunity to join them during their 2018 season. I can’t wait to get to the Kia Oval.”

SURREY'S JUNE FIXTURE LIST

June 1: Kent (ODC, Beckenham)

June 3: Middlesex (ODC, Lord's) 

June 6: Glamorgan (ODC, The Oval)

June 9-12: Hampshire (CC, Ageas Bowl)

June 20-23: Somerset (CC, Guildford)

June 25-28: Yorkshire (CC, Scarborough)

Stewart, the county's director of cricket, said: “We are thrilled to have signed the biggest name in world cricket for the month of June.

“Playing and training alongside Virat will be a massive benefit for our players who will have the opportunity to learn so much from him.

“At a time when there is much discussion around the future of county cricket, the arrival of Virat should give our domestic game a massive boost and positive exposure around the cricketing world which in turn can benefit every county.”

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